UK surname
Derived from a place name meaning "from Torrance," referring to various locations in Scotland with this name.
In the 1881 census there were 123 people recorded with the Torrence surname, ranking it #17,506 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 76, ranked #33,304, down from #17,506 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Catsfield, Kilbirnie and London parishes. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Torrence is 133 in 1851. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 38.2%.
1881 census count
123
Ranked #17,506
Modern count
76
2016, ranked #33,304
Peak year
1851
133 bearers
Map years
3
1851 to 1891
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Torrence surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Torrence surname density by area, 1881 census.
Timeline
Back to topThe table below tracks recorded surname counts and rank from the 19th-century census years through the modern adult-register period.
| Year | Period | Count | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1851 | historical | 133 | #14,106 |
| 1861 | historical | 82 | #23,321 |
| 1881 | historical | 123 | #17,506 |
| 1891 | historical | 102 | #23,719 |
| 1901 | historical | 82 | #25,019 |
| 1911 | historical | 46 | #28,224 |
| 1997 | modern | 69 | #30,712 |
| 1998 | modern | 70 | #30,968 |
| 1999 | modern | 60 | #32,078 |
| 2000 | modern | 58 | #32,317 |
| 2001 | modern | 56 | #32,379 |
| 2002 | modern | 57 | #32,661 |
| 2003 | modern | 59 | #32,530 |
| 2004 | modern | 63 | #32,380 |
| 2005 | modern | 64 | #32,482 |
| 2006 | modern | 72 | #32,059 |
| 2007 | modern | 77 | #31,856 |
| 2008 | modern | 85 | #31,247 |
| 2009 | modern | 83 | #31,950 |
| 2010 | modern | 87 | #31,990 |
| 2011 | modern | 85 | #32,127 |
| 2012 | modern | 71 | #33,573 |
| 2013 | modern | 75 | #33,409 |
| 2014 | modern | 77 | #33,336 |
| 2015 | modern | 76 | #33,351 |
| 2016 | modern | 76 | #33,304 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Catsfield, Kilbirnie, London parishes, Govan Combination and Edinburgh. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.
The modern local-area list points to No data. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.
| Rank | Parish | Area |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Catsfield | Sussex |
| 2 | Kilbirnie | Ayr |
| 3 | London parishes | London 3 |
| 4 | Govan Combination | Lanark |
| 5 | Edinburgh | Edinburgh |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Torrence surname in historical and recent records.
Recent female names
Recent male names
Modern profile
Back to topModern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Torrence, this points to the kinds of places where the surname is most concentrated today.
These neighbourhood labels describe areas, not individual people. They are useful because surnames often cluster through family history, migration, housing patterns and local work. A surname can be strongest in one type of neighbourhood even when people with that name live across the country.
The UK classification gives the national picture. The London classification is more specific to the capital, where housing, age profile, tenure and population mix can look quite different from the rest of the UK.
UK neighbourhood type
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Nationally, the Torrence surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Torrence household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.
London neighbourhood type
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Within London, Torrence is most associated with areas classed as No data, part of No data. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.
Broadband speed
The modern neighbourhood pattern for Torrence is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Torrence, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Torrence finds its origins in Scotland, where it emerged as a locational name derived from the Scottish place name Torrance, located in the region of Stirlingshire. The name is believed to have originated from the Gaelic term "torr," meaning a hill or a conical peak, and "innis," referring to a meadow or a river valley.
The earliest recorded instances of the name date back to the 12th century, with references found in ancient Scottish charters and land grants. One notable mention is in the Ragman Rolls of 1296, where a certain John de Torance swore allegiance to King Edward I of England.
In the 14th century, the name Torrence appeared in various forms, including Torrance, Torrans, and Torrens, reflecting the regional variations in spelling and pronunciation. The Torrence family played a significant role in the region's history, with several members holding prominent positions in the local community.
One of the earliest recorded bearers of the name was Sir Robert Torrence, a Scottish knight who fought alongside Robert the Bruce during the Wars of Scottish Independence in the early 14th century. He was granted lands in Stirlingshire for his loyalty and bravery.
In the 16th century, the Torrence family established themselves as influential landowners and merchants in the Scottish Lowlands. James Torrence (1512-1585), a prosperous merchant and landowner, was known for his philanthropic efforts and contributions to the local church and community.
During the 17th century, the Torrence family expanded their influence, with several members serving in the Scottish military and local government. Captain William Torrence (1625-1692) was a renowned soldier who fought in the English Civil War and later served as a magistrate in Stirlingshire.
As the Scots migrated to other parts of the British Empire and beyond, the Torrence surname spread across the globe. In the 18th century, John Torrence (1745-1819), a Scottish emigrant, settled in Virginia and became a prominent plantation owner and politician, serving in the Virginia House of Delegates.
Throughout history, the Torrence surname has been associated with various notable individuals, including the Scottish philosopher and economist Adam Torrence (1785-1848), the American Civil War general John Torrence (1824-1897), and the Canadian politician and businessman George Torrence (1865-1945).
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Torrence surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.
Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Lanarkshire leads with 38 Torrences recorded in 1881 and an index of 10.12x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Lanarkshire | 38 | 10.12x |
| Middlesex | 18 | 1.55x |
| Sussex | 14 | 7.15x |
| Lancashire | 12 | 0.87x |
| Midlothian | 9 | 5.79x |
| Surrey | 9 | 1.59x |
| West Lothian | 4 | 22.88x |
| Ayrshire | 2 | 2.30x |
| Derbyshire | 2 | 1.10x |
| Renfrewshire | 2 | 2.22x |
| Stirlingshire | 2 | 4.67x |
| Dorset | 1 | 1.31x |
| Dunbartonshire | 1 | 3.21x |
| Essex | 1 | 0.44x |
| Hampshire | 1 | 0.42x |
| Selkirkshire | 1 | 9.52x |
| Worcestershire | 1 | 0.66x |
| Yorkshire | 1 | 0.09x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Barony in Lanarkshire leads with 17 Torrences recorded in 1881 and an index of 17.89x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Barony | 17 | 17.89x |
| Govan | 10 | 10.77x |
| Catsfield | 9 | 3214.29x |
| Maryhill | 8 | 108.84x |
| Hackney London | 6 | 9.22x |
| Duddingston | 5 | 160.26x |
| Lambeth | 5 | 4.94x |
| Shoreditch London | 5 | 9.94x |
| Hastings St Mary In The | 4 | 95.92x |
| Kirkdale | 4 | 17.26x |
| Westminster St James | 4 | 33.53x |
| Cockpen | 3 | 164.84x |
| Oldham | 3 | 6.75x |
| Camberwell | 2 | 2.70x |
| Glasgow | 2 | 3.00x |
| Litchurch | 2 | 27.36x |
| Liverpool | 2 | 2.39x |
| Manchester | 2 | 3.23x |
| Uphall | 2 | 104.17x |
| Baldernock | 1 | 434.78x |
| Boness | 1 | 41.49x |
| Cobham | 1 | 107.53x |
| Coulsdon | 1 | 97.09x |
| Dalmellington | 1 | 39.22x |
| Edinburgh St Cuthberts | 1 | 1.60x |
| Galashiels | 1 | 25.77x |
| Hastings St Clement | 1 | 54.35x |
| Hatfield Broad Oak | 1 | 129.87x |
| Heaton Norris | 1 | 12.76x |
| Holy Trinity | 1 | 3.62x |
| Inverkip | 1 | 47.17x |
| Kirkliston | 1 | 98.04x |
| Middle Greenock | 1 | 40.82x |
| Ochiltree | 1 | 166.67x |
| Paddington London | 1 | 2.34x |
| Portland | 1 | 24.39x |
| Row | 1 | 24.81x |
| Southampton All Sts | 1 | 24.51x |
| St Martin In Fields | 1 | 14.39x |
| St Marylebone London | 1 | 1.61x |
| Stirling | 1 | 18.52x |
| Stonehouse | 1 | 78.74x |
| Stourbridge | 1 | 25.64x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Torrence surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
These are the male first names most often recorded with the Torrence surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
Occupational titles are kept as recorded and later transcribed, so related jobs, spelling variants and mistakes stay separate. Scholar was the census term for a child in education. That means the other rows often tell you more about adult work in Torrence households.
FAQ
In 1881, 123 people were recorded with the Torrence surname. That placed it at #17,506 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 76 in 2016. That gives Torrence a modern rank of #33,304.
Derived from a place name meaning "from Torrance," referring to various locations in Scotland with this name.
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Torrence bearers relative to the surrounding population.
The historical counts come from census surname records. The modern counts and neighbourhood summaries come from later surname distribution records. Counts are recorded bearers in those records, not a live estimate of everyone with the name today.